Cracker-can



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

ISAAG SEXTON, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

CRACKER-CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 264,347, dated September 12, 1882.

' Applicationfiled August 5,1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ISAAC SEXTON, of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Cracker-Cans, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rectangular sheetmetal cans or boxes used for holding crackers and other like articles of food, and having a strengthening-rim formed at the upper edge of each of its side pieces, said rim being triangular in cross-sectin and formed by bending the sheet of metal forming each side piece, so as to inclose a triangular space.

The object of my present invention is to provide certain improvements in the construction of said rim, whereby the access of crumbs and dust from the interior of the can into said triangular space is prevented, and other desirable results are obtained. To these ends my invention consists-in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a transverse vertical section of a can embodying my invention. Fig. l represents an enlarged section of apart of the can. Fig. 2 represents a side view of one of the side pieces detached. Fig. 3 represents an edge view of the same. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view of a portion of the top and inner surface of the can. Fig. 5 represents the old construction.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings, A represents a rectangular sheet-metal can having each of its sides composed of a single sheet of metal, bent at its upper edge to form a strength ening-rim, B, which is triangular in cross-section.

Heretofore each sheet has been bent as shown in Fig. 5, the sheet being extended upwardly as a plane surface to the top of the can, then bent inwardly to form a substantially horizontal'top, and then downwardly and backward] y to form an inclined flange, the edge of which bears against the inner surface of the can. By this construction a scam or crack is formed at the point where the inclined flange terminates, and, unless said crack is closed by solder at a considerable expense, crumbs and dust from the interior of the can will inevitably work into the triangular space inclosed by the rim, from which said crumbs and dust cannot be easily removed, but remain, and by decay cause space directly from the interior of the can is impossible. To this end I form the rim B, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, by inclining each side piece inwardly from a to b to form the inclined portion, outwardly from b to c to form the top or substantially horizontal portion, and downwardly from c to d to form the flange that completes the triangular rim. Said flange bears against the outer surface of the can at or in close proximity to the point a. The cracks between the outer sides of the can and the downwardly-turned flanges c ddo not require to be closed with solder, as the ordinary flan ged cover fof the can,when closed, will press said flanges inwardly, andat the same time the slight outward pressure of the flanges c (1 against the cover will tend to hold the latter in place and prevent accidental opening of the box, thereby obviating the necessity of a fastening device for said cover. It is obvious, however, that the flanges c (I may be soldered at their edges to the exterior surface of the can, if desired. I prefer to make the top portion, 1) c, slightly inclined downwardly from its outer to its inner edge, thereby afiording space under the cover f for a glazed frame or inner cover, g, as shown in Fig. 1.

One end of the rim B of each side piece is provided with a notch, n, in its inclined portion adapted to receive the proximate end of the rim on the adjoining "side piece, and with an outwardly-turned lip, 2, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) adapted tobear, as shown in Fig. 4, on the inclined surface of the rim on said adjoining side piece. Said lip,by being soldered to the surface on which it bears, insures a strong connection at the corners of the can, and prevents the formation of cracks at the corners, through which crumbs and dust can find access to the space inclosed ,by the rim.

I claim 1.. A rectangular can having each of its side pieces composed of a single sheet of metal bent inwardly to form the inclined portion a I), outwardly to form the top portion, b c, and downwardly to form the flange 0 d abutting against the outer surface of the can, said parts forming atriangnlar strengthening-rim, presenting an uncut or continuous sheet-metal surface on the interior and top of the can, whereby access of crumbs, &c., from the can into the space inclosed by the rim is prevented, as set forth.

2. A rectangular can having the triangular stren gthening-rim formed with the inclined top portion, b 0, whereby space is afi'orded under the cover of the can for a glazed frame or inner cover, as set forth.

3. A rectangular can having the triangular strengthening-rim on each of its side pieces, one end of each piece having a notch, a, in the inclined portion a b ofits rim, to receive the rim of the adjoining piece, and the lip 2, adapted to bear against and be soldered to the surface of the rim, secured in said notch, as set forth.

4. A rectangular can having the triangular strengthening-rim formed, as described, with continuous or undivided surfaces on the interior of the can, and external flanges, c 01, adapted to exert a yielding pressure against the cover of the can, as set forth.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesscs, this 2d day of August, 1882.

ISAAC SEXTON.

Witnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. L. WHITE. 

